Characteristic evaluation apparatus for insulated gate type transistors

ABSTRACT

The accuracy of effective channel width extraction in drain current method is improved. There are prepared a transistor with a wide channel width serving as a reference, and a transistor with a narrow channel width that becomes a candidate for extraction (step ST 1.1 ). From the characteristic curve of a plane formed by mask channel width and source-drain conductance, there is extracted a virtual point at which the change of source-drain conductance is estimated to be approximately zero even if the gate overdrive is finely changed. Then, the value of function F is calculated which is defined by the difference between the change of the conductance at the coordinate of the virtual point and the product obtained by multiplying the conductance per unit width by the change of the mask channel width (step ST 1.6 ). From a shift amount (δ) which minimizes the standard deviation of the function F to be obtained (step ST 1.7 ), the true threshold voltage of the transistor with the narrow channel width is determined (step ST 1.10 ).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a characteristic evaluation method for insulated gate type transistors which extracts their effective channel widths, a characteristic evaluation apparatus for insulated gate type transistors, a method of manufacturing insulated gate type transistors by using the above characteristic evaluation method, and a computer readable storing medium storing a characteristic evaluation program.

2. Description of the Background Art

An electrically effective channel width, i.e., an effective channel width W_(eff), can be determined from the drain currents of two or more insulated gate type transistors having the same channel length and a different channel width. This method is generally called “drain current method.” The drain current method can directly determine the difference between an effective channel width W_(eff) and a mask channel width W_(m), namely, a channel narrowing DW (=W_(m)−W_(eff)).

As a drain current method, a wide variety of methods have been proposed heretofore. They are described, for example, in “A New Method to Electrically determine Effective MOSFET Channel Width” by Y. R. Ma and K L Wang, IEEE Trans. Elect. Dev., ED-29, p. 1825, 1982; “A New Method to Determine the MOSFET Effective Channel Width” by N. D. Arora, L A. Blair and L M. Richardson, IEEE Trans. Elect. Dev., ED-37(3), p. 811, 1990; “A Method to Extract Gate-Bias-Dependent MOSFETs Effective Channel Width” by Y. T. Chia and G. J. Hu, IEEE Trans. Elect. Dev., ED-38(2), p. 424, 1991; and “A Direct Method to Extract Effective Geometries and Series Resistances of MOS Transistors” by P. R. Karlsson and K O. Jeppson, Proc. IEEE ICMTS, vol. 7, p. 184, 1994.

Of various drain current methods, Chia method is commonly often used. Thus, Chia method will be briefly described here. The total source-drain resistance R is given by the sum of a channel resistance R_(ch) and an external resistance R_(sd). Now, supposing the following Equation 1 as the equation to express drain current. $\begin{matrix} {I_{ds} = \frac{\beta_{0} \cdot \left( {V_{gs} - V_{th} - \frac{V_{ds}^{*}}{2}} \right) \cdot V_{ds}^{*}}{1 + {\theta\quad{1 \cdot \left( {V_{gs}^{*} - V_{th}} \right)}} + {\theta\quad{2 \cdot \left( {V_{gs}^{*} - V_{th}} \right)^{2}}}}} & \left( {{Eq}.\quad 1} \right) \end{matrix}$ where β₀, V_(ds)* and V_(gs)* are given by the following Equations 2, 3 and 4, respectively, and θ1 and θ2 are the invariables. $\begin{matrix} {\beta_{0} = \frac{\mu_{0}C_{ox}W_{eff}}{L_{eff}}} & \left( {{Eq}.\quad 2} \right) \end{matrix}$ where μ₀ is a carrier mobility, L_(eff) is an effective channel length, W_(eff) is an effective channel width, and C_(ox) is a gate insulating film capacity. $\begin{matrix} {V_{ds}^{*} = {V_{ds} - {I_{ds} \cdot R_{sd}}}} & \left( {{Eq}.\quad 3} \right) \\ {V_{gs}^{*} = {V_{gs} - \frac{I_{ds} \cdot R_{sd}}{2}}} & \left( {{Eq}.\quad 4} \right) \end{matrix}$

Neglecting the term of θ2, Equation 5 is obtained from Equations 1, 3 and 4. Supposing an external resistance R_(sd) is inversely proportional to an effective channel width W_(eff), a channel narrowing DW can be extracted through the following procedure. $\begin{matrix} {I_{ds} = \frac{\beta_{0} \cdot \left( {V_{gs} - V_{th} - \frac{V_{ds}}{2}} \right) \cdot V_{ds}}{1 + {\left( {{\theta\quad 1} + {\beta_{0} \cdot R_{sd}}} \right) \cdot \left( {V_{gs} - V_{th}} \right)}}} & \left( {{Eq}.\quad 5} \right) \end{matrix}$ where the difference between a gate voltage and a threshold voltage, (V_(gs)−V_(th)), is defined as a gate overdrive V_(gt).

Step 1: Against a certain gate overdrive V_(gt), I_(ds)−W_(m) characteristic is plotted in an X-Y plane whose X-axis is mask channel W_(m) and Y-axis is drain current I_(ds), and a linear fitting is made. At that time, the intersection with the X-axis in the X-Y plane which is obtained by extrapolating each straight line is the channel narrowing DW (V_(gt)) in the gate overdrive V_(gt) (see FIG. 1).

Step 2: By repeating step 1 while changing the gate overdrive V_(gt), it can be seen how the channel narrowing DW (V_(gt)) depends on the gate overdrive V_(gt) (see FIG. 1).

Prior art characteristic evaluation method for insulated type transistors is constructed as described. In Chia method, for example, it is necessary to know the threshold voltage of a transistor for use in extraction. The threshold voltage of a transistor is found by, for example, extrapolation from the characteristic between gate voltage and source-drain current, as shown in FIG. 2. Therefore, the error due to the uncertainty of a threshold voltage is further pronounced with reducing transistor size.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a characteristic evaluation apparatus for insulated gate type transistors in which at least two insulated gate type transistors that differ from each other only in mask channel width are used for evaluation and the characteristic of a first insulated gate type transistor having a wide mask channel width serves as a reference, to evaluate the characteristic of a second insulated gate type transistor having a narrow mask channel width. This apparatus comprises: a threshold voltage estimation means that extracts the threshold voltage of the first transistor, estimates the threshold voltage of the second transistor, and employs a value as estimated, as a first estimated value; an extraction means in which (i) a difference between a gate voltage of the first transistor and the extracted threshold voltage of the first transistor is defined as a first gate overdrive, and a difference between a gate voltage of the second transistors and the first estimated value is defined as a second gate overdrive, (ii) in an X-Y plane whose X-axis is the mask channel width and Y-axis is source-drain conductance, a virtual point at which a change of Y coordinate value is estimated to be approximately zero when the first and second gate overdrives are finely changed, is extracted from a characteristic curve exhibiting a relationship between the mask channel widths of the first and second transistors and the source-drain conductance, (iii) values of the X coordinate and Y coordinate at the virtual point are defined as second and third estimated values, respectively, and (iv) a slope of the characteristic curve at the virtual point is extracted and a value of the slope is employed as a fourth estimated value; a threshold voltage determination means in which (i) from the second to fourth estimated values, optimum second to fourth estimated values are found with which the change of the third estimated value is equal to the product of the change of the second estimated value and the fourth estimated value, in reply to fine changes of the first and second gate overdrives, (ii) an optimum first estimated value is determined which corresponds to the optimum second to fourth estimated values, and (iii) a true threshold voltage of the second transistor is determined based on the optimum first estimated value; and a channel narrowing determination means that determines a difference between the mask channel width and an effective channel width, based on the true threshold voltage.

According to a second aspect, the characteristic evaluation apparatus of the first aspect is characterized in that the extraction means approximates the characteristic curve by using a first straight line in the X-Y plane, the first straight line passing through a first point that is given to the first transistor when the first gate overdrive has a first value and a second point that is given to the second transistor when the second gate overdrive has the first value.

According to a third aspect, the characteristic evaluation apparatus of the second aspect is characterized in that the threshold voltage determination means determines the optimum second to fourth estimated values from a relational expression: ${F\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)} = {{{dW}^{**}\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)} + {\frac{f\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)}{f^{\prime}\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)} \cdot {{dW}^{**\prime}\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)}} - {{DW}^{*}\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)}}$ where δ is a difference between an estimated value of the threshold voltage of the second transistor, i.e., a first estimated value, and the threshold voltage of the first transistor; V_(gtWi) is the first gate overdrive; dW** is a value of an X intercept that is obtained by extrapolating the characteristic curve; f is the slope of the characteristic curve at the virtual point; DW* is an X coordinate value at the virtual point; and a prime is the first-order differentiation of V_(gtWi).

According to a fourth aspect, the characteristic evaluation apparatus of the second aspect is characterized in that the threshold voltage determination means determines the optimum second to fourth estimated values from a relational expression: ${F\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)} = {{\frac{f^{2}\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)}{f^{\prime}\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)} \cdot {{dW}^{**\prime}\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)}} - {G_{m}^{*}\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)}}$ where δ is a difference between an estimated value of the threshold voltage of the second transistor, i.e., a first estimated value, and the threshold voltage of the first transistor; V_(gtWi) is the first gate overdrive; dW** is a value of an X intercept that is obtained by extrapolating the characteristic curve; f is the slope of the characteristic curve at the virtual point; G_(m)* is a Y coordinate value at the virtual point; and a prime is the first-order differentiation of V_(gtWi).

According to a fifth aspect, the characteristic evaluation apparatus of the second aspect is characterized in that the threshold voltage determination means determines the optimum second to fourth estimated values from a relational expression: ${F\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)} = {{G_{m}^{**}\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)} - {\frac{f\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)}{f^{\prime}\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)} \cdot {G_{m}^{**\prime}\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)}} - {G_{m}^{*}\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)}}$ where δ is a difference between an estimated value of the threshold voltage of the second transistor, i.e., a first estimated value, and the threshold voltage of the first transistor; V_(gtWi) is the first gate overdrive; G_(m)** is a value of a Y intercept that is obtained by extrapolating the characteristic curve; f is the slope of the characteristic curve at the virtual point; G_(m)* is a Y coordinate value at the virtual point; and a prime is the first-order differentiation of V_(gtWi).

According to a sixth aspect, the characteristic evaluation apparatus of the second aspect is characterized in that the threshold voltage determination means determines the optimum second to fourth estimated values from a relational expression: ${F\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)} = {\frac{G_{m}^{**\prime}\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)}{f^{\prime}\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)} + {{DW}^{*}\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)}}$ where δ is a difference between an estimated value of the threshold voltage of the second transistor, i.e., a first estimated value, and the threshold voltage of the first transistor; V_(gtWi) is the first gate overdrive; G_(m)** is a value of a Y intercept that is obtained by extrapolating the characteristic curve; f is the slope of the characteristic curve at the virtual point; DW* is an X coordinate value at the virtual point; and a prime is the first-order differentiation of V_(gtWi).

According to a seventh aspect, a characteristic evaluation apparatus for insulated gate type transistors in which at least two insulated gate type transistors that differ from each other only in mask channel width are used for evaluation and the characteristic of a first insulated gate type transistor having a wide mask channel width serves as a reference, to evaluate the characteristic of a second insulated gate type transistor having a narrow mask channel width. This apparatus comprises: a threshold voltage estimation means that extracts the threshold voltage of the first transistor, estimates the threshold voltage of the second transistor, and employs a value as estimated, as a first estimated value; an extraction means in which (i) a difference between a gate voltage of the first transistor and the threshold voltage of the first transistor is defined as a first gate overdrive, and a difference between a gate voltage of the second transistor and the first estimated value is defined as a second gate overdrive, (ii) in an X-Y plane whose X-axis is the mask channel width and Y-axis is source-drain conductance, a virtual point at which a change in Y coordinate value is estimated to be approximately zero when the first and second gate overdrives are finely changed from a first characteristic curve exhibiting a relationship between the mask channel widths of the first and second transistors and the source-drain conductance, and (iii) a value of the X coordinate at the virtual point is employed as a second estimated value, alternatively, as a value of the X intercept of the first characteristic curve; a threshold voltage determination means in which (i) from the second estimated value, an optimum first estimated value is found with which a second characteristic curve exhibiting a relationship between the second gate overdrive and the second estimated value in an X-Y plane whose X-axis is the second gate overdrive and Y-axis is a value related to the second estimated value, has a predetermined shape within a predetermined range of the second gate overdrive, and (ii) the optimum first estimated value is determined as a true threshold voltage of the second transistor; and a channel narrowing determination means that determines a difference between the mask channel width and an effective channel width, based on the true threshold voltage.

According to an eighth aspect, the characteristic evaluation apparatus of the seventh aspect is characterized in that the extraction means further employs a value of the X intercept of the first characteristic curve as a third estimated value; and the threshold voltage determination means employs a value that is obtained by reducing the second estimated value from twice the third estimated value, as the value related to the second estimated value.

According to a ninth aspect, the characteristic evaluation apparatus of the eighth aspect is characterized in that the threshold voltage determination means employs the first estimated value with which a value that is obtained by reducing the second estimated value from twice the third estimated value is best converged on a fixed value in the predetermined range, as the optimum first estimated value.

According to a tenth aspect, the characteristic evaluation apparatus of the first aspect is characterized in that the channel narrowing determination means determines a difference between the mask channel width and an effective channel width, from a value that is obtained by reducing the second estimated value from twice the third estimated value when the gate overdrive is in the vicinity of 0 V.

According to an eleventh aspect, a characteristic evaluation apparatus for insulated gate type transistors in which at least two insulated gate type transistors that differ from each other only in mask channel width are used for evaluation and the characteristic of a first insulated gate type transistor having a wide mask channel width serves as a reference, to evaluate the characteristic of a second insulated gate type transistor having a narrow mask channel width. This apparatus comprises: a threshold voltage estimation means that extracts a threshold voltage of the first transistor, estimates the threshold voltage of the second transistor, and employs a value as estimated, as a first estimated value; an extraction means in which (i) a difference between a gate voltage of the first transistor and the extracted threshold voltage of the first transistor is defined as a first gate overdrive, and a difference between a gate voltage of the second transistor and the first estimated value is defined as a second gate overdrive, (ii) under the condition that the first and second gate overdrives are the same in an X-Y plane whose X-axis is the mask channel width and Y-axis is source-drain resistance, a virtual point at which a change in Y coordinate value is estimated to be approximately zero even if the first and second gate overdrives are finely changed, is extracted from points on a straight line passing through a first point whose X coordinate is the mask channel width of the first transistor and Y coordinate is the source-drain resistance of the second transistor, and a second point whose X coordinate is the mask channel width of the second transistor and Y coordinate is the source-drain resistance of the first transistor, (iii) values of the X coordinate and Y coordinate at the virtual points are defined as second and third estimated values, respectively, and (iv) a slope of the straight line at the virtual points is extracted and a value of the slope is employed as a fourth estimated value; a threshold voltage. determination means that determines a true threshold voltage of the second transistor by using the first to fourth estimated values; and a channel narrowing determination means that determines a difference between the mask channel width and an effective channel width, based on the true threshold voltage.

According to a twelfth aspect, in the characteristic evaluation apparatus of the eleventh aspect the threshold voltage determination means is characterized in: (i) finding, from the second to fourth estimated values, optimum second to fourth estimated values with which a change of the third estimated value is equal to the product of a change of the second estimated value and the fourth estimated value, in reply to fine changes of the first and second gate overdrives, (ii) determining an optimum first estimated value that corresponds to the optimum second to fourth estimated values, and (iii) determining the true threshold voltage of the second transistor, based on the optimum first estimated value.

According to a thirteenth aspect, the characteristic evaluation apparatus of the twelfth aspect is characterized in that the threshold voltage determination means determines the optimum second to fourth estimated values from a relational expression: ${F\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)} = {{\frac{h^{2}\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)}{h^{\prime}\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)} \cdot {{dW}^{**\prime}\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)}} - {R^{\#}\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)}}$ where δ is a difference between an estimated value of the threshold voltage of the second transistor, i.e., a first estimated value, and the threshold voltage of the first transistor; V_(gtWi) is the first gate overdrive; dW** is a value of an X intercept that is obtained by extrapolating the straight line; h is the slope of the straight line; R^(#) is a Y coordinate value at the virtual point; and a prime is the first-order differentiation of V_(gtWi).

According to a fourteenth aspect, the characteristic evaluation apparatus of the twelfth aspect is characterized in that the threshold voltage determination means determines the optimum second to fourth estimated values from a relational expression: ${F\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)} = {{R^{**}\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)} - {\frac{h\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)}{h^{\prime}\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)} \cdot {R^{**\prime}\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)}} - {R^{\#}\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)}}$ where δ is a difference between an estimated value of the threshold voltage of the second transistor, i.e., a first estimated value, and the threshold voltage of the first transistor; V_(gtWi) is the first gate overdrive; R** is a value of a Y intercept that is obtained by extrapolating the straight line; h is the slope of the straight line; R^(#) is a Y coordinate value at the virtual point; and a prime is the first-order differentiation of V_(gtWi).

According to a fifteenth aspect, the characteristic evaluation apparatus of the twelfth aspect is characterized in that the threshold voltage determination means determines the optimum second to fourth estimated values from a relational expression: ${F\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)} = {\frac{R^{**\prime}\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)}{h^{\prime}\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)} + {{DW}^{\quad\#}\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)}}$ where δ is a difference between an estimated value of the threshold voltage of the second transistor, i.e., a first estimated value, and the threshold voltage of the first transistor; V_(gtWi) is the first gate overdrive; R** is a value of a Y intercept that is obtained by extrapolating the straight line; h is the slope of the straight line; DW_(#) is an X coordinate value at the virtual point; and a prime is the first-order differentiation of V_(gtWi).

According to a sixteenth aspect, the characteristic evaluation apparatus of the twelfth aspect is characterized in that the threshold voltage determination means determines the optimum second to fourth estimated values from a relational expression: ${F\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)} = {{{dW}^{**}\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)} + {\frac{h\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)}{h^{\prime}\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)} \cdot {{dW}^{**\prime}\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)}} - {{DW}^{\quad\#}\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)}}$ where δ is a difference between an estimated value of the threshold voltage of the second transistor, i.e., a first estimated value, and the threshold voltage of the first transistor; V_(gtWi) is the first gate overdrive; dW** is a value of an X intercept that is obtained by extrapolating the straight line; h is the slope of the straight line; DW^(#) is an X coordinate value at the virtual point; and a prime is a first-order differentiation of V_(gtWi).

According to a seventeenth aspect, in the characteristic evaluation apparatus of the eleventh aspect the threshold voltage determination means is characterized in (i) finding, in an X-Y plane whose X-axis is the second gate overdrive and Y-axis is the second estimated value, the optimum first estimated value with which a characteristic curve exhibiting the relationship between the second gate overdrive and the second estimated value has a predetermined shape in a predetermined range of the second gate overdrive, and (ii) determining the true threshold voltage of the second transistor, based on the optimum first estimated value.

According to an eighteenth aspect, the characteristic evaluation apparatus of the seventeenth aspect is characterized in that the threshold voltage determination means estimates, from the characteristic curve in plural, an optimum characteristic curve with which the second estimated value is best converged on a fixed value in the predetermined range.

According to a nineteenth aspect, the characteristic evaluation apparatus of the eleventh aspect is characterized in that the channel narrowing determination means determines a difference between the mask channel width and an effective channel width, from the second estimated value when the gate overdrive is in the vicinity of 0 V.

The characteristic evaluation apparatus of the first or twelfth aspect allows accurate extraction of the threshold voltage of the second insulated gate type transistor, irrespective of the range of the second gate overdrive, thereby improving the accuracy of effective channel width extraction.

The characteristic evaluation apparatus of the eleventh aspect facilitates to determine the value of channel narrowing when the first and second gate overdrives are in the vicinity of zero because the stationary point of the second estimated value is present in the vicinity of zero.

The characteristic evaluation apparatus of the second aspect facilitates the slope extraction between virtual points because a characteristic curve is approximated to a straight line. This allows to find a virtual point as the intersection of straight lines, and the slope at an intersection as the slope of a straight line.

The characteristic evaluation apparatus of the third, fourth, fifth, sixth, thirteenth, fourteenth, fifteenth or sixteenth aspect requires no differentiation of the gate overdrive at a virtual point, thereby reducing errors.

The characteristic evaluation apparatus of the seventh, eighth or seventeenth aspect facilitates to determine true threshold voltages because the second characteristic curves that are obtained for the true threshold voltage on a graph may approximately coincide, irrespective of mask channel width.

The characteristic evaluation apparatus of the ninth or eighteenth aspect facilitates programming for appropriate results by detecting an optimum characteristic curve exhibiting the best convergence on a fixed value.

The characteristic evaluation apparatus of the tenth or nineteenth aspect facilitates channel narrowing determination because the channel narrowing at the gate overdrive of 0 V is determined by using a value that is obtained by reducing the second estimated value from twice the third estimated value, alternatively, because the second estimated value has a stationary point when the gate overdrive is in the vicinity of 0 V.

To solve the above problem, it is an object of the present invention to obtain a characteristic evaluation apparatus for insulating gate type transistors which performs evaluation of insulated gate type transistors by using a characteristic evaluation method for insulated gate type transistors which reduces the error due to the uncertainty of a threshold voltage to permit channel narrowing extraction of high accuracy.

It is another object of the present invention to obtain a computer readable storing medium that stores a characteristic evaluation program.

It is another object of the present invention to obtain a manufacturing method by which insulated gate type transistors having excellent characteristics can be manufactured easily by using the above characteristic evaluation method.

These and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a graph for explaining an effective channel length extraction by Chia method;

FIG. 2 is a graph for explaining threshold voltage extraction;

FIG. 3 is a graph for explaining a virtual point, G_(m) intercept and W_(m) intercept in G_(m) method;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart giving an example of the procedure of a characteristic evaluation method for insulated gate type transistors according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a graph for explaining a true shift amount determination according to the first preferred embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a graph for explaining the relationship between channel narrowing and W_(m) coordinate at a virtual point;

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a higher-order narrowing;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram giving an example of the construction of a characteristic evaluation apparatus for insulated gate type transistors according to the first preferred embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram showing the concept in which a calculation section in FIG. 8 is implemented by a computer;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the manufacturing steps for insulated gate type transistors which employs the characteristic evaluation method of the first preferred embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a graph showing the relationship between mask channel length and effective channel length in manufacturing an insulated gate type transistor;

FIG. 12 is a graph showing the relationship between effective channel length and threshold voltage in manufacturing an insulated gate type transistor;

FIG. 13 is a graph for explaining the outline of a second preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a graph showing the relationship between W_(m) coordinate at a virtual point and threshold voltage error;

FIG. 15 is a graph for explaining the relationship between W_(m) intercept and threshold voltage error;

FIG. 16 is a graph for explaining the relationship between a value that is obtained by reducing the value of W_(m) coordinate at a virtual point from twice the value of W_(m) intercept, and threshold voltage error;

FIG. 17 is a flowchart giving an example of the procedure of a characteristic evaluation method for insulated gate type transistors according to the second preferred embodiment;

FIG. 18 is a block diagram giving an example of the construction of a characteristic evaluation apparatus for insulated gate type transistors according to the second preferred embodiment;

FIG. 19 is a graph for explaining a virtual point, R intercept and W_(m) intercept in Rm method;

FIG. 20 is a flowchart giving an example of the procedure of a characteristic evaluation method for insulated gate type transistors according to a third preferred embodiment;

FIG. 21 is a graph for explaining a true shift amount determination according to the third preferred embodiment;

FIG. 22 is a graph for explaining the relationship between channel narrowing and W_(m) coordinate at a virtual point;

FIG. 23 is a block diagram giving an example of the construction of a characteristic evaluation apparatus for insulated gate type transistors according to the third preferred embodiment;

FIG. 24 is a graph for explaining the outline of a fourth preferred embodiment;

FIG. 25 is a graph showing the relationship between W_(m) coordinate at a virtual point and threshold voltage error;

FIG. 26 is a flowchart giving an example of the procedure of a characteristic evaluation method for insulated gate type transistors according to the fourth preferred embodiment;

FIG. 27 is a block diagram giving an example of the construction of a is characteristic evaluation apparatus for insulated gate type transistors according to the fourth preferred embodiment;

FIG. 28 is a graph for explaining the difference between the channel narrowing obtained by prior art characteristic evaluation method and the channel narrowing obtained by the characteristic evaluation method of the first or third preferred embodiment; and

FIG. 29 is a graph showing the relationship between gate overdrive area set for calculation in the characteristic evaluation method of the first or third preferred embodiment, and channel narrowing.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First Preferred Embodiment

A characteristic evaluation method for insulated gate type transistors according to a first preferred embodiment will be described hereafter. In this method, a channel narrowing DW is extracted by using the drain current in the linear areas of a plurality of transistors, each having the same mask channel length L_(m) and a different mask channel width W_(m).

The above characteristic evaluation method will be roughed out. Firstly there are prepared at least two MOS transistors, each having the same channel length L_(m) and a different mask channel width W_(m). In the following description, the number of MOS transistors is limited to two. Of the two MOS transistors, one having a wide mask channel width W_(m) is referred to as a wide transistor or first insulated gate type transistor, and the other having a narrow mask channel width W_(m) is referred to as a narrow transistor or second insulated gate type transistor. Subscript Wi in symbols stands for being concerned with the wide transistor, and subscript Na stands for being concerned with the narrow transistor. In the prior art method that is described by referring to FIG. 2, the threshold voltages V_(thWi), V_(thNa) of the wide transistor and narrow transistor, respectively, are extrapolated from I_(ds)−V_(gs) characteristic or the like. The threshold voltage V_(thNa) of the second insulated gate type transistor thus obtained is a first estimated value. By changing the threshold voltage V_(thNa) of the narrow transistor (the first estimated value) with the threshold voltage V_(thWi) of the wide transistor fixed, a coordinate (DW*, G_(m)*) at a virtual point at which the change in source-drain conductance is estimated to be approximately zero even if a gate overdrive V_(gt) is finely changed against each of the changed threshold voltage V_(thNa), is extracted from, for example, the intersection coordinates of a plurality of characteristic curves having a different gate overdrive V_(gt). In this case, the gate overdrive V_(gt) of the wide transistor is a first gate overdrive, and the gate overdrive V_(gt) of the narrow transistor is a second gate overdrive. The coordinate DW*, coordinate G_(m)* and slope f at the virtual point are second, third and fourth estimated values, respectively.

Then, by using the threshold voltages V_(thWi) and V_(thNa), the coordinate (DW*, G_(m)*) at the virtual point is extracted from the relationship between conductance G_(m) and mask channel width W_(m). Examples of this method is, as shown in FIG. 3 in prior art, one in which two characteristic curves (straight lines) representing the characteristic G_(m)−W_(m) are drawn in a graph whose X-axis is mask channel width W_(m) and Y-axis is source-drain conductance G_(m), and the intersection of the two straight lines is found to extract a virtual point. In FIG. 3, the straight line expressing the gate overdrive V_(gt) is a first straight line, the point that satisfies the mask channel width W_(m)=W_(mWi) on the first straight line is a first point, and the point that satisfies the mask channel width W_(m)=W_(mNa) on the first straight line is a second point. However, the estimation of the coordinate at a virtual point is not limited to the above. Instead of a straight line passing through two points, a curve to be determined by three or more points may be used. Alternatively, a point in the vicinity of an intersection may be used instead of the intersection. From among the values of a coordinate (DW*, G_(m)*) which express the extracted virtual point, there is determined the value with which the change in the value G_(m) of the Y component of the coordinate expressing a virtual point is estimated to be equal to the product of the change of the value DW* of the X component of the virtual point and the channel resistance value f per unit width.

Extraction of an effective channel width W_(eff) in MOS transistors will be described in detail by referring to FIG. 4.

Firstly, the I_(ds)−V_(gs) characteristics of two transistors Wi and Na, each having the same mask channel length L_(m) and a different mask channel width W_(m), are measured (step ST1.1).

From the obtained I_(ds)−V_(gs) characteristics, the threshold voltages V_(thWi) of a wide transistor and V_(thNa) of a narrow transistor are extracted by using extrapolation method or the like (step ST1.2). Then, the difference (V_(thNa)−V_(thWi)) between the threshold voltages V_(thWi) and V_(thNa) is found. Hereafter, the difference (V_(thNa)−V_(thWi)) thus found is defined as δ_(guess).

The lower and upper limits of an area in which the value δ to be set as a threshold voltage difference is changed are determined as δ_(inf)=δ_(guess)−K, and δ_(sup)=δ_(guess)+K, respectively (step ST1.3). Here, let K be 0.2 V, and δ=δ_(inf) is set as an initial value.

Then, it is determined whether the value δ to be calculated is present between δ_(inf) and δ_(sup) (step ST1.4). That is, it is determined whether δ_(inf)≦δ≦δ_(sup).

When the value δ is present between δ_(inf) and δ_(sup) the threshold voltage V_(thWi) of the wide transistor is fixed to the value that has been extracted in step ST1.2, and the threshold voltage V_(thNa) of the narrow transistor is supposed to be the sum of the threshold voltage V_(thWi) of the wide transistor and the δ (step ST1.5).

On the basis of the threshold voltage V_(thWi) and V_(thWi)+δ in step ST1.5, a gate overdrive V_(gt) is measured. For about 20 points in a certain area Ω, e.g., in the range of the gate overdrive V_(gt) satisfying 0.3 V≦V_(gt)≦1.3 V, there are found the rate of change DW*′(δ−V_(gtn)) in the value of W_(m) coordinate at a virtual point, the rate of change G_(m)*′(δ, V_(gtn)) in the value of G_(m) coordinate at a virtual point, and the conductance f (δ, V_(gtn)) per unit width. From the values thus found, the value of function F(δ, V_(gtn)) expressed by Equation 6 is found. F(δ, V _(gtn))=G _(m) *′−f·DW*′

where n=1, 2, . . . 20.

Next, the standard deviation of function F, σ [F(δ)], is calculated in the area Ω (step ST1.7). By substituting δ+Q for δ, the value of a shift amount δ is changed to return to step ST1.4 (step ST1.8). Let the value of Q be 0.01, for example.

When it is determined δ_(inf)≦δ≦δ_(sup) in step ST1.4, steps ST1.5 to ST1.8 are repeated. On the other hand, when it is not determined δ_(inf)≦δ≦δ_(sup) in step ST1.4, it goes to step ST1.9 and find δ=δ₀, with which the standard deviation σ [F(δ)] becomes a minimum. At that time, the true threshold voltage V_(thNa) of the narrow transistor is given by the sum of the threshold voltage V_(thWi) of the wide transistor and the δ₀ that has been determined in step ST1.9.

Using the true threshold voltage V_(thWi)+δ₀ of the narrow transistor that has been determined in step ST1.9, the gate overdrive V_(gt) of the narrow transistor is measured to find the value DW*(V_(gt)) of W_(m) coordinate at a virtual point (step ST1.10). The threshold voltage V_(thWi) of the wide transistor at that time is based on the value that has been found in step ST1.2, as in step ST1.5.

Let the channel narrowing DW_(Na) of the narrow transistor be DW_(Na)(V_(gt))=dW**(V_(gt)), where dW** is an optimum second estimated value (step ST1.11). At the same time an effective channel width W_(effNa) is given by the following Equation 7. Hereat, G_(m)* that is obtained by using a gate overdrive V_(gt) providing a channel narrowing DW is an optimum third estimated value. Further, an optimum fourth estimated value is the conductance f of the channel per unit width which is obtained by using a gate overdrive V_(gt) providing a channel narrowing DW. WeffNa(V _(gt))=W_(mNa) −DW _(Na)(V _(gt))   (Eq. 7)

Although in step ST1.11, the channel narrowing DW_(Na) is determined from dW**, the channel narrowing DW(V_(gt)) when a gate overdrive V_(gt) is in the vicinity of zero may be determined as a value (2·dW**−DW*), which is given from W_(m) coordinate at an intersection and W_(m) intercept. In this case, when the gate overdrive V_(gt) is in the vicinity of zero, the change of (2·dW** −DW*) against the change of gate overdrive V_(gt) is extremely small, thus making it easy to determine a channel narrowing DW_(Na).

Description will be now given of a concrete procedure to determine a channel narrowing DW and the like, from the standard deviation of the function F shown in Equation 6. In a characteristic evaluation method for insulated gate type transistors according to the first preferred embodiment, to reduce the uncertainty of threshold voltage extrapolation and, in particular, the error due to the uncertainty of threshold voltage extrapolation for transistors having a narrow channel width, the relationship of Equation 8 which is, for example, established between the value DW* of W_(m) coordinate at a virtual point and the value dW**, is noted to apply a variation method. Here, dW** is the value of X intercept that is obtained by extrapolating a G_(m)−W_(m) characteristic curve (straight line) which is plotted between source-drain conductance G_(m) and mask channel width W_(m), by using G_(m) to enter a Y-axis and W_(m) to enter an X-axis. Hereinafter, dW** may be taken to represent the value of W_(m) intercept. $\begin{matrix} {{{dW}^{**} + {\frac{f}{f^{\prime}}{dW}^{**\prime}} - {DW}^{*}} = 0} & \left( {{Eq}.\quad 8} \right) \end{matrix}$

Supposing that the threshold voltage difference between the narrow transistor and the wide transistor is a shift amount δ, the value DW* of W_(m) coordinate at a virtual point, the value dW** of W_(m) intercept and its rate of change dW**′, as well as the channel conductance f per unit width and its rate of change f′, are found from G_(mNa)(V_(gtWi)+δ−V_(thNa)+V_(thWi)) and G_(mWi)(V_(gtWi)). When a shift amount δ is equal to the true threshold voltage difference δ₀ between the narrow transistor and the wide transistor, Equation 8 is satisfied. At that time, dW** gives a channel narrowing DW. Therefore, a channel narrowing DW can be extracted through the following procedure.

Firstly, with respect to a certain shift amount δ, the value DW* of W_(m) coordinate at a virtual point, the value dW** of W_(m) intercept, and the channel conductance f per unit width are given by Equations 9 to 11. $\begin{matrix} {{DW}^{*} = \frac{W_{mNa} - {{ri} \cdot W_{mWi}}}{\left( {1 - {ri}} \right)}} & \left( {{Eq}.\quad 9} \right) \\ {{dW}^{**} = \frac{W_{mNa} - {{rai} \cdot W_{mWi}}}{\left( {1 - {rai}} \right)}} & \left( {{Eq}.\quad 10} \right) \\ {{f\left( {V_{gtWi},\delta} \right)} = \frac{\begin{matrix} {\quad{{G_{mWi}\quad\left( V_{gtWi} \right)} - G_{mNa}}} \\ \left( {V_{thWi} + \delta - V_{gtNa} + V_{thWi}} \right) \end{matrix}}{W_{mWi} - W_{mNa}}} & \left( {{Eq}.\quad 11} \right) \end{matrix}$

In Equations 9 to 11, parameters ri and rai are defined by the following Equations 12 and 13, respectively, and V_(gtWi) denotes a gate overdrive on the basis of the threshold voltage V_(thWi) of a wide transistor having a wide mask channel width W_(mWi). $\begin{matrix} {{{ri}\left( {V_{gtwi},\delta} \right)} \equiv \frac{G_{mNa}^{\prime}\left( {V_{gtWi} + \delta - V_{thNa} + V_{thWi}} \right)}{G_{mWi}^{\prime}\left( V_{gtWi} \right)}} & \left( {{Eq}.\quad 12} \right) \\ {{{rai}\left( {V_{gtwi},\delta} \right)} \equiv \frac{G_{mNa}\left( {V_{gtwi} + \delta - V_{thNa} + V_{thWi}} \right)}{G_{mWi}\left( V_{gtWi} \right)}} & \left( {{Eq}.\quad 13} \right) \end{matrix}$

The value DW* of W_(m) coordinate at a virtual point, the value dW** of W_(m) intercept and its rate of change dW**′, as well as the channel conductance f per unit width and its rate of change f′, are found by changing a shift amount δ.

The function F in Equation 6 can be modified to redefine as the following Equation 14, making it easy to find the function F. When a shift amount δ is equal to a threshold voltage difference δ₀ between the narrow transistor and the wide transistor, the function F defined in Equation 14 becomes zero, irrespective of a gate overdrive V_(gtWi). Then, a shift amount δ with which the standard deviation of function F in an area of gate overdrive V_(gtWi) becomes a minimum, is determined as a true threshold voltage difference δ₀. $\begin{matrix} {{F\left( {V_{gtWi},\delta} \right)} = {{{dW}^{**}\left( {V_{gtWi},\delta} \right)} + {\frac{f\left( {V_{gtWi},\delta} \right)}{f^{\prime}\left( {V_{gtWi},\delta} \right)} \cdot {{dW}^{**\prime}\left( {V_{gtWi},\delta} \right)}} - {{DW}^{*}\left( {V_{gtWi},\delta} \right)}}} & \left( {{Eq}.\quad 14} \right) \end{matrix}$

FIG. 5 is a graph showing one example of the relationship between the standard is deviation of function F and shift amount δ. In this graph, a minimum value is obtained when the shift amount δ is −0.06 V, thus let a true threshold voltage difference δ₀ be −0.06 V.

The value of a channel narrowing DW is determined by using the value of the above threshold voltage difference δ₀. For instance, it may be determined in the same manner as in step ST1.11 of FIG. 4. Alternatively, the average of values obtained when the gate overdrive V_(gt) is in the vicinity of zero, among the values DW*(δ₀, V_(gt)) of W_(m) coordinate at a virtual point, may be taken as the value of a channel narrowing DW. FIG. 6 gives an example of the results when the characteristic evaluation method of MOS transistors according to the first preferred embodiment (hereinafter referred to as Gm method) is applied to a process.

Instead of Equation 14 that is used in the first preferred embodiment, any one of Equations 15 to 17 may be used to find function F. $\begin{matrix} {{F\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)} = {{\frac{f^{2}\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)}{f^{\prime}\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)} \cdot {{dW}^{**}\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)}} - {G_{m}^{*}\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)}}} & \left( {{Eq}.\quad 15} \right) \\ {{F\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)} = {{G_{m}^{**}\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)} - {\frac{f\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)}{f^{\prime}\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)} \cdot {G_{m}^{**\prime}\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)}} - {G_{m}^{*}\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)}}} & \left( {{Eq}.\quad 16} \right) \\ {{F\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)} = {\frac{G_{m}^{**\prime}\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)}{f^{\prime}\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)} + {{DW}^{*}\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)}}} & \left( {{Eq}.\quad 17} \right) \end{matrix}$

In Equations 16 and 17, G_(m)** is the value of a R intercept that is obtained by extrapolating G_(m)−W_(m) characteristic. Thus, by using mask channel width W_(m) to enter the X-axis and source-drain conductance G_(m) to enter the Y-axis, without using any coordinate at a virtual point, a G_(m)−W_(m) characteristic curve (straight line) is extrapolated to obtain the value G_(m)** of a Y intercept and the value dW** of a Y intercept which are found as X=0 and Y=0, respectively. The use of the value G_(m)** or dW** requires no differentiation of the coordinate (DW*, R*) at a virtual point. The accuracy is unchanged by using any one of Equations 14 to 17. Equation 15 and 16, however, call for calculation of G_(m)**. Hence, Equation 14 or 17 is preferred.

Although in the first preferred embodiment, a shift amount δ is determined by a value with which the standard deviation of function F becomes a minimum, it can be determined by a value with which the average value of functions F approaches zero, or the minimum value of the sum of squares(ΣF²) of function F. The above alternatives, however, might have the errors due to the offset of the value of function F, which are caused by calculation errors, unlike the value with which the standard deviation becomes a minimum.

Moreover, the first preferred embodiment employs G_(mNa)′/G_(mWi)′ in Equation 12, for example, to improve calculation accuracy in finding the value DW* of W_(m) coordinate at a virtual point. On the other hand, if easy process is desired, a higher accuracy calculation than prior art is attainable by using δG_(mNa)/δG_(mWi), instead of G_(mNa)′/G_(mWi)′. High-accuracy channel narrowing DW extraction is also attainable by high-accuracy calculation of the change in the source-drain conductance G_(m) of a wide transistor or narrow transistor, by means of a higher-order approximate expression. For instance, the slope of a curve at y₀ among points that are equally spaced with a width s, as shown in FIG. 7, can be given by a higher-order approximate expression in the following Equation 18. $\begin{matrix} {y_{0}^{\prime} = {\frac{1}{12 \cdot h}\left( {y_{- 2} - {8 \cdot y_{- 1}} + {8 \cdot y_{1}} - y_{2}} \right)}} & \left( {{Eq}.\quad 18} \right) \end{matrix}$

The use of the characteristic evaluation method for insulated gate type transistors in the first preferred embodiment permits evaluation at higher accuracy than prior art. As a result, improvement of accuracy owing to use of G_(mNa)′/G_(mWi)′ is satisfactorily reflected on evaluation results than prior art.

In the calculation of G_(mNa)′/G_(mWi)′ by G_(m) method, to reduce errors, resistance R is sometimes used instead of conductance G_(m), as shown in Equation 19. The reason for using the differentiation of the logarithm of resistance R is to reduce the error due to a great change in resistance R when V_(gt) is brought near zero. $\begin{matrix} {\frac{G_{mNa}^{\prime}}{G_{mWi}^{\prime}} = {\frac{\left( {1/R_{Na}} \right)^{\prime}}{\left( {1/R_{Wi}} \right)^{\prime}} = {{\frac{R_{Na}^{\prime}}{R_{Wi}^{\prime}} \cdot \frac{R_{Wi}^{2}}{R_{Na}^{2}}} = {\frac{\left( {\ell\quad n\quad R_{Na}} \right)^{\prime}}{\left( {\ell\quad n\quad R_{Wi}} \right)^{\prime}} \cdot \frac{R_{Wi}}{R_{Na}}}}}} & \left( {{Eq}.\quad 19} \right) \end{matrix}$

Description will be now given of a characteristic evaluation apparatus for insulated gate type transistors according to the first preferred embodiment, by referring to FIG. 8. A characteristic evaluation apparatus for insulated gate type transistors 1 is connected to a measuring device 3 for measuring an object under test 2. Examples of the object under test 2 are integrated circuits in which a wide transistor and a narrow transistor are formed. Such an integrated circuit after being extracted from the lot for which all manufacturing steps have been terminated, is set to the measuring device 3 to make measurement therefor. The measuring device 3 is controlled by a control section 4 of the characteristic evaluation apparatus 1. An input section 5 provides the control section 4 with control information. The input section 5 is composed of a keyboard, a mouse and the like. Measurement data obtained in the measuring device 3 is inputted to a calculation section 6 together with the control information, through the control section 4. The calculation section 6 extracts an effective channel width W_(eff), based on the data to be inputted from the input section 5. An output section 7 outputs the extracted effective channel width W_(eff) and the control information used in the middle of extraction. Such control information is provided from the control section 4 or calculation section 5.

The calculation section 6 is composed of a threshold voltage and virtual shift amount determination section 11 that determines threshold voltages V_(thWi), V_(thNa), and virtual shift amount δ; an extraction section 12 that extracts an intersection coordinate (DW*, G_(m)*) as the coordinate at a virtual point, and the slope f of a characteristic curve at the intersection coordinate; a true shift amount determination section 13 for determining a true shift amount δ₀, and a channel narrowing determination section 14 for determining a channel narrowing DW (or an effective channel width W_(eff)). Although in this embodiment, an intersection coordinate is used as the coordinate at a virtual point at which the change of source-drain conductance G_(m) is supposed to be approximately zero even if the gate overdrive V_(gt) is finely changed in a W_(m)−G_(m) characteristic curve. The intersection coordinate may be found by other than the method of finding an intersection, alternatively, other point may be used as the coordinate at a virtual point, as previously discussed. For executing calculation in the calculation section 6, the value of a variable K for determining the upper limit δ_(sup) and lower limit δ_(inf) in the range of changing a shift amount δ, the range of area Ω in which a gate overdrive V_(gt) is measured, and the quantity of change Q of a virtual shift amount δ, are inputted to the threshold voltage and virtual shift amount determination section 11 from the input section 5. The measurement data of source-drain current Ids and gate-source voltage V_(gt) are provided to the threshold voltage and virtual shift amount determination section 11, from the control section 4. The determination section 11 receives the above data, and then provides the extraction section 12 with the threshold voltage V_(thWi) of a wide transistor and a virtual shift amount δ that indicates the difference between this threshold voltage V_(thWi) and the threshold voltage V_(thNa) of a narrow transistor. In the extraction section 12, with respect to each shift amount δ, the rate of change dDW*/dV_(gt) and that of dG_(m)/dV_(gt) for an intersection coordinate (DW*, G_(m)*) in an area Ω, and the slope f of a characteristic curve are extracted by using the value of the mask channel width W_(m) provided from the input section 5, as well as the source-drain current I_(ds) and the measurement data of gate-source voltage V_(gt). From the rate of change dDW*/dV_(gt) of W_(m) coordinate of the intersection, the rate of change dG_(m)/dV_(gt) of R coordinate of the intersection, and the slope f of the characteristic curve which have been extracted in the extraction section 12, the true shift amount determination section 13 determines a virtual shift amount δ₀ with which the standard deviation of the function F expressed in Equation 6 becomes a minimum in an area Ω. Upon determination of a virtual shift amount δ₀, the extraction section 12 outputs the virtual shift amount δ₀ and the value DW* of W_(m) coordinate of the corresponding intersection or the value dW** of W_(m) intercept, to a channel narrowing determination section 14. In the section 14, a channel narrowing DW is determined from the value dW** of W_(m) intercept or the value DW* of W_(m) coordinate at a virtual point, and the calculation expressed in Equation 7 is carried out to determine an effective channel width W_(eff). The output section 7 outputs the channel narrowing DW and the effective channel width W_(eff) determined in the channel narrowing determination section 14, the intersection coordinate (DW*, G_(m)*) and the slope of a characteristic curve at the intersection coordinate extracted in the extraction section 12, and the true shift amount δ₀ determined in the true shift amount determination section 13.

With the above construction, it is possible to obtain a characteristic evaluation apparatus for insulated gate type transistors which extracts an effective channel width W_(eff) at a higher accuracy than prior art.

Referring to FIG. 9, the characteristic evaluation for insulated gate type transistors as described in the first preferred embodiment can be realized by making a computer to read an evaluation program 30 for evaluating insulated gate type transistors from a recording medium storing the program 30, in accordance with the procedure in FIG. 4 as described in the first preferred embodiment. By executing the evaluation program 30, a measurement data 33 containing data related to an effective channel width W_(eff) can be extracted on the basis of a measurement data 31 provided from a measuring device 3 and a control information 32 from an input section 5 in FIG. 8, as described in the first preferred embodiment.

Description will be now given of a method of manufacturing an insulated gate type transistor according to the first preferred embodiment, by referring to FIG. 10. Firstly, a target narrow transistor and a reference wide transistor are prepared (step ST50). Then, the electrical characteristics of both transistors are measured (step ST51). In this step, the I_(ds)−V_(gs) characteristic, off leak current I_(off) and drain current I_(dmax) of each transistor are measured. The off leak current I_(off) is the current that flows between source and drain when, for example, V_(ds)=VDD and V_(gs)=V_(bs)=0 V, where VDD is power supply voltage.

By the characteristic evaluation method for insulated gate type transistors as described in the first preferred embodiment, the threshold voltage V_(thNa) and effective channel width W_(effNa) of the narrow transistor are extracted from I_(ds)−V_(gs) characteristic or the like. Then, it is determined whether the threshold voltage V_(thNa), effective channel width W_(effNa), current I_(dmax), and current I_(off) of the narrow transistor satisfy a specification (step ST53). If not, it returns to step ST50 to perform another preparation of transistors by using a new mask.

Thus, the characteristic evaluation method for insulated gate type transistors according to the first preferred embodiment produces the following effects. Firstly, since the threshold voltage is determined accurately from a known mask channel width and electrical characteristics, the time required for manufacturing is reduced, compared to the case where the section of an insulated gate type transistor is observed with an electron microscope or the like. Secondly, in response to a gate overdrive V_(gt), the range of an effective channel width W_(eff) in the desired mask channel width W_(m) is found accurately (see FIG. 11). Thirdly, the variable range of the threshold voltage V_(th) that corresponds to the variable range of an effective channel width W_(eff) is found accurately at the same time (see FIG. 12), thus facilitating the quality control of the threshold voltage V_(th) in manufacturing steps.

Second Preferred Embodiment

Description will be given of the outline of a characteristic evaluation method for insulated gate type transistors according to a second preferred embodiment, by referring to FIG. 13. FIG. 13 is a graph showing the relationship between the value of (2·dW**−DW*) and gate overdrive V_(gt) which are obtained by the characteristic evaluation method for insulated gate type transistors according to the second preferred embodiment. Specifically, this graph shows the change in the value of (2·dW**−DW*) when a true threshold voltage is used for three narrow transistors which differ one another in mask channel width W_(mNa). Note that the mask channel width W_(mWi) of a wide transistor which serves as a reference in extracting the values dW** and DW* of W_(m) coordinate of these narrow transistors, is set to the same value. A comparison of FIG. 13 with FIGS. 14 to 16 indicates that when used a true threshold voltage, the change in the value of (2˜dW**−DW*) against the gate overdrive V_(gt) is approximately the same, irrespective of the mask channel widths W_(mNa) of the narrow transistors. Therefore, the true threshold voltage of a narrow transistor can be extracted by finding out one which coincides with the characteristic curve of this graph when the value of a gate overdrive V_(gt) is, for example, in the range of 0.3-1.2 V. In the second preferred embodiment, first and second insulated gate type transistors, first and second gate overdrives, and first and second estimated values, are also defined as in the first preferred embodiment.

Description will be now given of an example of a characteristic evaluation method for insulated gate type transistors according to the second preferred embodiment. In this method, the characteristic curve of FIG. 13 is extracted from characteristic curves that change variously depending on the estimated value of the threshold voltage V_(thNa) of a narrow transistor, namely, a first estimated value, by making use of the fact that the standard deviations of the characteristic curves are small in the range of 0.2-0.6 V, for example. Since in this method the true threshold voltage of a narrow transistor is determined by utilizing the dependence of (2·dW**—DW*) on a gate overdrive V_(gt), it is determined in a procedure similar to that of the first preferred embodiment.

One example of the extraction procedure of an effective channel width W_(eff) in the second preferred embodiment is given in FIG. 17. The extraction procedure of the second preferred embodiment is different from that of the first preferred embodiment in steps ST1.12, ST1.13 and ST1.14 to ST1.16 in FIG. 17, which correspond to steps ST1.6, ST1.7 and ST1.9 to ST1.11 in FIG. 4, respectively.

In step ST1.12, the value of 2·dW**−DW* against, for example, about 20 different gate overdrives V_(gtn) are found by using the values of W_(m) coordinate and W_(m) intercept. In step ST1.13, there are calculated the average value <2·dW**−DW*> and standard deviation σ [2·dW**−DW*] of a value that is obtained by reducing the value DW* of W_(m) coordinate at a virtual point from twice of the value dW** of W_(m) intercept for a shift amount δ.

When it is judged that in step ST1.13, the calculation of a shift amount δ in a predetermined range of δ_(inf) to δ_(sup) is terminated (step ST1.4), a true shift amount δ₀ that gives a channel narrowing DW is estimated in step ST1.14. The true shift amount δ₀ is a shift amount δ₀ with which a standard deviation σ [2·dW**−DW*] becomes a minimum. This means that the choice of a characteristic curve whose values are best converged on a fixed value. In step ST1.15, a channel narrowing DW is given by, for example, the average of the values DW* of W_(m) coordinate at a virtual point for a shift amount δ₀. In step ST1.16, an effective channel width W_(eff) is determined from the difference between a mask channel width W_(m) and the channel narrowing DW.

Referring to FIG. 18, a characteristic evaluation apparatus for insulated gate type transistors according to the second preferred embodiment will be described. A characteristic evaluation apparatus for insulated gate type transistors 1A shown in FIG. 18 is connected to a measuring device 3 for measuring an object under test 2, like the characteristic evaluation apparatus 1 of the first preferred embodiment as shown in FIG. 8. In the construction of the characteristic evaluation apparatus 1A, the same reference numerals have been retained for similar parts which have the same functions as in the apparatus 1 of FIG. 8. That is, the characteristic evaluation apparatus 1A has the same structure as the apparatus 1, except for an extraction section 12A, a true shift amount determination section 13A and a channel narrowing determination section 14A in a calculation section 6A. The extraction section 12A finds (2·dW**−DW*) by changing a gate overdrive V_(gt) in an area Ω. In the true shift amount determination section 13A, a value with which the standard deviation σ [2·dW**−DW*] becomes a minimum, is found from the value DW* of W_(m) coordinate of an intersection and the value dW* of W_(m) intercept in the area Ω, to determine a true shift amount δ₀. The extraction section 12A outputs the true shift amount δ₀ and the value DW* of W_(m) coordinate of the corresponding intersection or the value dW* of W_(m) intercept, to the channel narrowing determination section 14A. The section 14A determines a channel narrowing DW from the average of (2·dW**−DW*) when the gate overdrive V_(gt) is in the vicinity of 0 V, e.g., in the range of 0.2≦V_(gt)≦0.6, in an area Ω for a true shift amount δ₀, alternatively, from the value dW** of W_(m) intercept. In the second preferred embodiment, a value with which the standard deviation σ [2·dW**−DW*] of the value (2·dW**−DW*) becomes a minimum, or a value with which the standard deviation σ [dW**] of the value dW** of W_(m) intercept becomes a minimum, is determined as a channel narrowing DW. Its determination method is, however, not limited to the above, and the threshold voltage V_(thNa) of a narrow transistor may be determined by selecting a characteristic curve in which the value dW** of W_(m) intercept or the value of (2·dW**−DW*) is best converged on a fixed value when a gate overdrive V_(gt) is within a predetermined range.

A method of manufacturing an insulted gate type transistor according to the second preferred embodiment can be implemented by employing, in step ST52 shown in FIG. 10, the evaluation method of the second preferred embodiment in place of that of the first preferred embodiment. This results in the same effects as in the case where the evaluation method of the first preferred embodiment is applied to a manufacturing method.

Referring again to FIG. 9, the characteristic evaluation for insulated gate type transistors as described in the second preferred embodiment is attainable by making a computer to read an evaluation program 30 for evaluating insulated gate type transistors from a recording medium storing the program 30, in accordance with the procedure in FIG. 17 as described in the second preferred embodiment.

In the channel narrowing DW extraction according to the first or second preferred embodiment, when the mask cannel width W_(mNa) of a narrow transistor is significantly smaller than the mask cannel width W_(mWi) of a wide transistor (i.e., W_(mNa)<<W_(mWi)), the difference between the mask channel width W_(mwi) and a gate finished width W_(gWi) hardly affects on determination of the value DW* of W_(m) coordinate at a virtual point, thereby determines the channel narrowing DW of the narrow transistor at high accuracy. For instance, to evaluate device or circuit performance on the level of not more than 1.0 μm in pattern width, it is required to extract the channel narrowing DW of each transistor. For such an extraction, there are used two transistors, i.e., a narrow transistor and a wide transistor serving as a reference. In this case, the difference between a gate finished width W_(g) and a mask channel width W_(m) depends on the transistor, causing an error. Thus, description will be now given of such an error. The value dW** of W_(m) coordinate at a virtual point when a mask channel width W_(m) is used is given by Equation 20. $\begin{matrix} {{{dW}^{**}\left( V_{gt} \right)} = {\left( {W_{mNa} - {\frac{G_{mNa}}{G_{mWi}} \cdot W_{mWi}}} \right) \cdot \left( {1 - \frac{G_{mNa}}{G_{mWi}}} \right)^{- 1}}} & \left( {{Eq}.\quad 20} \right) \end{matrix}$

If W_(g) intercept in a plane formed by gate finished width and source-drain conductance (i.e., W_(g)−G_(m) plane), is represented by dW_(g)**, Equation 21 is obtained. $\begin{matrix} {{{dW}_{g}^{**}\left( V_{gt} \right)} = {\left( {W_{gNa} - {\frac{G_{mNa}}{G_{mWi}} \cdot W_{gWi}}} \right) \cdot \left( {1 - \frac{G_{mNa}}{G_{mWi}}} \right)^{- 1}}} & \left( {{Eq}.\quad 21} \right) \end{matrix}$

If the difference between a gate finished width W_(g) and a mask channel width W_(m) is represented by δW, the difference between the gate finished width W_(gWi) and mask channel width W_(mWi) of a wide transistor, and the difference between the gate finished width W_(gNa) and mask channel width W_(nNa) of a narrow transistor are represented by δW_(wi) and ΔW_(Na), respectively, thus the relationships of Equations 22 and 23 are established. From Equations 20 to 23, the difference between the coordinate value dW** of W_(m) intercept and the coordinate value DW_(g)* of W_(g) intercept is expressed by Equation 24, where ΔW is defined in Equation 25. $\begin{matrix} {W_{gWi} = {W_{mWi} + {\Delta\quad W_{Wi}}}} & \left( {{Eq}.\quad 22} \right) \\ {W_{gNa} = {W_{mNa} + {\Delta\quad W_{Na}}}} & \left( {{Eq}.\quad 23} \right) \\ \begin{matrix} {{{dW}^{**} - {dW}_{g}^{**}} = {{{- \Delta}\quad W_{Na}} + {{\frac{G_{mNa}}{G_{mWi}} \cdot \left( {1 - \frac{G_{mNa}}{G_{mWi}}} \right)^{- 1} \cdot \Delta}\quad W}}} \\ {\approx {{{- \Delta}\quad W_{Na}} + {{\frac{G_{mNa}}{G_{mWi}} \cdot \Delta}\quad W}}} \\ {\approx {{{- \Delta}\quad W_{Na}} + {{\frac{W_{effNa}}{W_{effWi}} \cdot \Delta}\quad W}}} \end{matrix} & \left( {{Eq}.\quad 24} \right) \\ {{\Delta\quad W} \equiv {{\Delta\quad W_{Wi}} - {\Delta\quad W_{Na}}}} & \left( {{Eq}.\quad 25} \right) \end{matrix}$

Equations 23 and 24 show that the effective channel width W_(eff) of a narrow transistor is extracted when the relationship W_(mNa)<<W_(mWi) is established. In Equation 24, the second term of the last expression indicates an error. If a relative error is represented by r, Equation 26 is obtained. Then, let be W_(gWi)≈W_(mWi), Equation 26 is modified into Equation 27. $\begin{matrix} {{\frac{W_{effNa}}{W_{effWi}} \cdot {{\Delta\quad W}}} < {r \cdot W_{effNa}}} & \left( {{Eq}.\quad 26} \right) \\ {W_{mWi} > \frac{{\Delta\quad W}}{r}} & \left( {{Eq}.\quad 27} \right) \end{matrix}$

Equation 27 imposes limitations upon the size of a wide transistor. For instance, when ΔW=0.1 μm and r=0.02, the mask channel width W_(mWi) of a wide transistor is required to be greater than 5 μm, in order to accurately extract the effective channel width of a narrow transistor.

Also, in the case where a channel narrowing DW is determined from (2·dW**−DW*), it is desirable to determine a mask channel width W_(mWi) in a similar manner.

Third Preferred Embodiment

A characteristic evaluation method for insulated gate type transistors according to a third preferred embodiment will be described hereafter. In this method, a channel narrowing DW is extracted by using the drain currents of linear areas in two insulated gate type transistors that have the same mask channel length L_(m) and a different mask channel width W_(m).

The above characteristic evaluation method in the third preferred embodiment will be roughed out. As in the first preferred embodiment, there are firstly prepared two MOS transistors, each having the same channel length L_(m) and a different mask channel width W_(m). Then, the threshold voltage V_(thWi) of a wide transistor and the threshold voltage V_(thNa) of a narrow transistor are extrapolated from I_(ds)−V_(gs) characteristic or the like. The threshold voltage V_(thNa) thus extracted is a first estimated value. Under the conditions that the gate overdrive V_(gt) of the wide transistor, i.e., a first gate overdrive, is equal to the gate overdrive V_(gt) of the narrow transistor, i.e., a second gate overdrive, a virtual point as described later is extracted in an X-Y plane whose X-axis is mask channel width W_(m) and Y-axis is source-drain resistance R. This virtual point is not present as an actual measuring point, but is a virtual point on a straight line that passes through a first point whose X-coordinate is the mask channel width W_(nWi) of the wide transistor and Y-coordinate is the source-drain resistance R_(Na) of the narrow transistor, and a second point whose X-coordinate is the mask channel width W_(mNa) of the narrow transistor and Y-coordinate is the source-drain resistance R_(Wi) of the wide transistor. Such a virtual point has the characteristic feature that the change in source-drain resistance is approximately zero even when the first and second gate overdrives are finely changed. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 19, this virtual point is found as the intersection of two straight lines exhibiting the difference of δ V_(gt) between the first and second gate overdrives. The X-coordinate (W_(m) coordinate) and Y-coordinate of the above intersection are represented by DW^(#) and R^(#), respectively. Note that the straight lines in the third preferred embodiment contain curves that can be approximated to a straight line. In the event that a virtual point is located slightly apart from the straight lines, a point in the vicinity of an intersection may be used.

The relationship of Equation 28 is established between the intersection coordinate (R^(#), DW^(#)) and the slope h of a straight line in FIG. 19. In Equation 28, a prime indicates the first-order differentiation of V_(gt). R ^(#) ′=h·DW ^(#)′  (Eq. 28)

The values of DW^(#), (δ, V_(gtWi)), R^(#)′(δ, V_(gWi)), and h(δ, V_(gtWi)) are found from the source-drain resistance of a narrow transistor R_(Na)(V_(gtWi)+δ−V_(thNa)+V_(thWi)) and the source-drain resistance of a wide transistor R_(Wi)(V_(gtWi)). Hereat, δ is a shift amount to be changed in calculating the difference between two true threshold voltages V_(thWi), V_(thNa). When a shift amount δ is equal to the threshold voltage difference between the wide and narrow transistors (V_(thNa)−V_(thWi)), the relationship of Equation 28 is established. Accordingly, the function F that is defined in Equation 29 is zero, irrespective of the gate overdrive V_(gt). F(δ,V _(gtWi))=R ^(#)′(δ,V _(gtWi))−h(δ,V _(gtWi))·DW ^(#)′(δ, V _(gtWi))   (Eq. 29)

A shift amount δ is changed to determine the value of a true shift amount δ₀ with which the standard deviation of function F is a minimum in a certain area of a gate overdrive V_(gt). Using the true shift amount δ₀, the value dW** of X intercept is found by, for example, extrapolating straight lines as shown in FIG. 19. From the obtained dW**, a channel narrowing DW is determined. An effective channel width W_(eff) is a value that is obtained by reducing a channel narrowing DW from a mask channel width W_(m).

Referring to FIG. 20, extraction of the effective channel width W_(eff) of an MOS transistor will be described in detail.

FIG. 20 shows the steps in a characteristic evaluation method for insulated gate type transistors according to the third preferred embodiment. The above steps are the same as those in FIG. 4 in the first preferred embodiment which are designated by the same reference numeral, except for step ST1.20. In step ST1.20, the function F shown in Equation 29 is calculated. In step ST1.9, by using a calculation result obtained in step ST1.20, a true shift amount δ₀ is determined from a shift amount δ with which the standard deviation calculated in step ST1.7 is a minimum. Steps ST1.10 and ST1.11 in which from the above true shift amount, a channel narrowing DW and an effective channel width W_(eff) are determined δ₀, respectively, are the same as in the characteristic evaluation method of the first preferred embodiment as shown in FIG. 4.

Although a channel narrowing DW_(Na) is determined from dW** in step ST1.11, a channel narrowing DW(V_(gt)) that is obtained when the gate overdrive V_(gt) is in the vicinity of zero may be determined as the value DW^(#) of W_(m) coordinate at an intersection.

Description will be now given of a concrete procedure to determine a channel narrowing DW and the like, from the standard deviation of the function F shown in Equation 29. In the characteristic evaluation method of the third preferred embodiment, to reduce the uncertainty of threshold voltage extrapolation and, in particular, the error due to the uncertainty of the threshold voltage extrapolation of a transistor having a narrow channel width, the relationship of Equation 30 which is, for example, established between the value DW* of W_(m) coordinate at a virtual point and the value dW** of W_(m) intercept, is noted to apply a variation method. Hereat, since the differentiation of an intersection coordinate (R^(#), DW^(#)) in Equation 29 may increase the error of calculated values, Equation 30 is used in place of Equation 29. $\begin{matrix} {{F\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)} = {{{dW}^{**}\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)} + {\frac{h\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)}{h^{\prime}\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)} \cdot {{dW}^{**\prime}\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)}} - {{DW}^{\#}\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)}}} & \left( {{Eq}.\quad 30} \right) \end{matrix}$

Firstly, to a certain shift amount δ, DW^(#)(V_(gtWi), δ) and dW**(V_(gtWi), δ) are given by Equations 31 and 32, respectively, where rri and rai are defined in Equations 33 and 34, respectively, and the slope h of a straight line is given by Equation 35. $\begin{matrix} {{DW}^{\#} = \frac{W_{mNa} - {{rri} \cdot W_{mWi}}}{1 - {rri}}} & \left( {{Eq}.\quad 31} \right) \\ {{dW}^{**} = \frac{W_{mNa} - {{rai} \cdot W_{mWi}}}{1 - {rai}}} & \left( {{Eq}.\quad 32} \right) \\ {{{rri}\left( {V_{gtWi},\delta} \right)} = \frac{R_{Wi}^{\prime}\left( V_{gtWi} \right)}{R_{Na}^{\prime}\left( {V_{gtWi} + \delta - V_{thNa} + V_{thWi}} \right)}} & \left( {{Eq}.\quad 33} \right) \\ {{{rai}\left( {V_{gtWi},\delta} \right)} = \frac{R_{Wi}\left( V_{gtWi} \right)}{R_{Na}\left( {V_{gtWi} + \delta - V_{thNa} + V_{thWi}} \right)}} & \left( {{Eq}.\quad 34} \right) \\ {{h\left( {V_{gtWi},\delta} \right)} = \frac{{R_{Na}\left( {V_{gtWi} + \delta - V_{thNa} + V_{thWi}} \right)} - {R_{Wi}\left( V_{gtWi} \right)}}{W_{mWi} - W_{mNa}}} & \left( {{Eq}.\quad 35} \right) \end{matrix}$

A shift amount δ is changed to find the value DW^(#) of W_(m) coordinate, the value dW** of W_(m) intercept and its rate of change dW**′, as well as the resistance R per unit width and its rate of change R′.

When a shift amount δ is equal to the threshold voltage difference δ₀ between narrow and wide transistors, the function F defined in Equation 30 is zero, irrespective of the gate overdrive V_(gtWi). Thus, let the value of a shift amount d with which the standard deviation of the function F becomes a minimum in an area of a gate overdrive V_(gtWi) be a true shift amount δ₀ (see FIG. 21).

Then, let the value of dW** (V_(gt), δ₀) of W_(m) intercept which is obtained by using a true shift amount δ₀, be a channel narrowing DW(V_(gt)).

Although in the third preferred embodiment a true shift amount δ₀ is determined from the condition under which the standard deviation of the function F is a minimum, it may be determined from the condition under which the sum of values that are obtained by squaring each of the functions F to be found for discrete gate overdrives V_(gt), becomes a minimum. When calculating gate overdrive V_(gt) for about 20 points, the sum Z can be expressed by Equation 36. $\begin{matrix} {Z = {\sum\limits_{n = 1}^{20}{F^{2}\left( V_{gtn} \right)}}} & \left( {{Eq}.\quad 36} \right) \end{matrix}$

Instead of Equation 30, any one of Equations 37 to 39 may be used to find function F. $\begin{matrix} {{F\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)} = {{\frac{h^{2}\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)}{h^{\prime}\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)} \cdot {{dW}^{**\prime}\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)}} - {R^{\#}\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)}}} & \left( {{Eq}.\quad 37} \right) \\ {{F\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)} = {{R^{**}\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)} - {\frac{h\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)}{h^{\prime}\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)} \cdot {R^{**\prime}\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)}} - {R^{\#}\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)}}} & \left( {{Eq}.\quad 38} \right) \\ {{F\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)} = {\frac{R^{**\prime}\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)}{h^{\prime}\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)} + {{DW}^{\#}\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)}}} & \left( {{Eq}.\quad 39} \right) \end{matrix}$

In Equations 38 and 39, R** is the value of a source-drain resistance R when the value of a mask channel width W_(m) is set to be zero in R−W_(m) characteristic. Using mask channel width W_(m) to enter an X-axis and source-drain resistance R to enter a Y-axis, a R−W_(m) characteristic curve (straight line) is extrapolated to find the value R** of a Y intercept and the value dW** of an X intercept which are obtained as X=0 and Y=0, respectively. The use of the value R** or dW** facilitates calculation. Although the accuracy remains unchanged with any one of Equations 30, and 37 to 39, it is necessary to calculate R** when using Equation 38 or 39. Thus, Equation 30 or 37 is preferred.

Although in the third preferred embodiment the value dW** of W_(m) intercept obtained when a true shift amount δ₀ is used is employed as the value of a channel narrowing DW, the value of a channel narrowing DW obtained when a gate overdrive V_(gt) is in the vicinity of zero may be given by the average of the values DW^(#) in the neighborhood where the value DW^(#) of W_(m) coordinate of an intersection has a minimum value (see FIG. 22). Since DW^(#) has a stationary point when the gate overdrive V_(gt) has a value in the vicinity of zero, it is possible to determine the value of a channel narrowing DW at higher accuracy than the case of using the value dW* of W_(m) intercept.

Referring to FIG. 23, a characteristic evaluation apparatus for insulated gate type transistors according to the third preferred embodiment can be constructed by partially modifying the calculation section 6 of the characteristic evaluation apparatus 1 of the first preferred embodiment in FIG. 8. Specifically, the parts to be modified are an extraction section 12B that extracts an intersection coordinate (DW^(#), R^(#)) as the coordinate of a virtual point, the value dW** of W_(m) intercept, the value R** of R intercept, and the slope h of a straight line in the intersection coordinate; a true shift amount determination section 13B that determines a true shift amount δ₀ from the values extracted in the extraction section 12B; and a channel narrowing determination section 14B that determines a channel narrowing by using a value giving a true shift amount δ₀ which is selected from among the values extracted in the extraction section 12B. Other components of the calculation section 6B in FIG. 23 are the same as those in the first preferred embodiment. The extraction section 12B further extracts the rate of change dDW^(#)/dV_(gt), dR^(#)/dV_(gt) of an intersection coordinate (DW^(#), R^(#)) and the slope h of a characteristic curve in an area Ω with respect to each shift amount δ, by using the value of a mask channel width W_(m) provided from an input section 5, the measurement data of source-drain current I_(ds) and gate-source voltage V_(gt) that are provided from a control section 4. The true shift amount determination section 13B determines a virtual shift amount δ₀ with which the standard deviation of the function F shown in Equation 29 becomes a minimum for the area Ω, by using the rate of change dDW^(#)/dV_(gt) of the W_(m) coordinate of an intersection, the rate of change dR^(#)/dV_(gt) of R coordinate of the intersection, and the slope h of the characteristic curve which have been extracted in the extraction 12B. Upon determination of a true shift amount δ₀, the extraction section 12B outputs the true shift amount δ₀ or the value DW^(#) of W_(m) coordinate of the corresponding intersection and value dW** of W_(m) intercept, to a channel narrowing determination section 14B. The section 14B determines a channel narrowing DW from the value dW** of W_(m) intercept or the value DW^(#) of W_(m) coordinate in a virtual point, and performs the calculation shown in Equation 7, to determine an effective channel width W_(eff).

Referring again to FIG. 9, the characteristic evaluation for insulated gate type transistors as described in the third preferred embodiment is attainable by making a computer to read an evaluation program 30 for evaluating insulated gate type transistors from a recording medium storing the program 30, in accordance with the procedure in FIG. 20 as described in the third preferred embodiment.

A method of manufacturing an insulted gate type transistor according to the third preferred embodiment can be implemented by employing, in step ST52 shown in FIG. 10, the evaluation method of the third preferred embodiment in place of that of the first preferred embodiment. This results in the same effects as in the case where the evaluation method of the first preferred embodiment is applied to a manufacturing method.

Fourth Preferred Embodiment

A characteristic evaluation method for insulated gate type transistors according to a fourth preferred embodiment will be outlined by referring to FIG. 24. FIG. 24 is a graph showing the relationship between DW^(#) and gate overdrive V_(gt) that are found by the characteristic evaluation method for insulated gate type transistors according to the fourth preferred embodiment. This graph shows the change in the value DW^(#) of W_(m) coordinate of an intersection when a true threshold voltage is used for three narrow transistors having a different mask channel width W_(mNa). Note that the mask channel width W_(mWi) of a wide transistor that serves as a reference in extracting the value DW^(#) of W_(m) coordinate for these transistors, is set to the same value.

As shown by comparison of FIG. 24 with FIG. 25, if the value of a shift amount δ derives from a shift amount δ₀, the shape of a V_(gt)−DW^(#) characteristic curve changes, whereas even if the value of a mask channel width W_(mNa) changes somewhat, the shape of a V_(gt)−DW^(#) characteristic curve remains unchanged. Hence, as to other transistor having a different mask channel width W_(m), it is also possible to extract the true threshold voltage of a narrow transistor by finding out one characteristic curve which coincides with that in this graph when the gate overdrive V_(gt) ranges from 0.3 to 1.2 V, for example. In the fourth preferred embodiment, first and second gate overdrives and first to fourth estimated values are defined as in the third preferred embodiment.

One example of the characteristic evaluation method for insulated gate type transistors according to the fourth preferred embodiment will be described by referring to FIG. 26. In the method shown in FIG. 26, from characteristic curves that change variously depending on the estimated value of a threshold voltage V_(thNa), i.e., a first estimated value, the characteristic curve in FIG. 24 is extracted based on the fact that the standard deviation of the curve is small in the range of 0.2 to 0.6 V, for example. Since in the evaluation method of the fourth preferred embodiment, the true threshold voltage δ₀ of a narrow transistor is determined by utilizing the dependence of the value DW^(#) of W_(m) coordinate on a gate overdrive V_(gt), the true threshold voltage δ₀ is determined in a manner similar to that in the third preferred embodiment.

The procedure of extracting an effective channel width W_(eff) in the characteristic evaluation method of the fourth preferred embodiment is the same as that of the third preferred embodiment, except for steps ST1.30 to ST1.34 in FIG. 26, which correspond to steps ST1.20, ST1.7 and ST1.9 to ST1.11 in FIG. 20, respectively.

In the loop composed of steps ST1.4 to ST1.8, at step ST1.30 the value DW^(#) of W_(m) coordinate at a virtual point is found. That is, the values DW^(#) of about twenty different gate overdrives V_(gtn) for each shift amount δ are found. At step ST1.31, the average of the twenty DW^(#) values of DW^(#)(δ, V_(gt)) to DW^(#)(δ, V_(gtn)), and the standard deviation σ [DW^(#)] are calculated.

After repeat calculation for each shift amount δ (steps ST1.14 to ST1.8) is terminated, at step ST1.32, a shift amount δ₀ for giving a channel narrowing DW is estimated, with which the standard deviation σ becomes a minimum. At step ST1.33, the channel narrowing DW is given by the average of the values DW^(#) of W_(m) coordinates at a virtual point when a shift amount is δ₀. At step ST1.34, an effective channel width W_(eff) is determined by the difference between a mask channel width and the channel narrowing DW.

Referring to FIG. 27, description will be now given of a characteristic evaluation apparatus for insulated gate type transistors according to the fourth preferred embodiment. A characteristic evaluation apparatus for insulated gate type transistors 1C shown in FIG. 27 is connected to a measuring device 3 for measuring an object under test 2, like the characteristic evaluation apparatus 1B of the third preferred embodiment as shown in FIG. 23. In the construction of the characteristic evaluation apparatus 1C, the same reference numerals have been retained for similar parts which have the same functions as in the apparatus 1B of FIG. 23. That is, the characteristic evaluation apparatus 1C has the same structure as the apparatus 1B, except for an extraction section 12C, a true shift amount determination section 13C and a channel narrowing determination section 14A in a calculation section 6C.

The extraction section 12C of the characteristic evaluation apparatus 1C finds an intersection coordinate (DW^(#), R^(#)) by changing a gate overdrive V_(gt) in an area Ω. The true shift amount determination section 13C finds a standard deviation σ [DW^(#)] from the value of the intersection coordinate (DW^(#), R^(#)) in the area Ω, to determine a true shift amount δ₀. The extraction section 12C outputs the true shift amount δ₀ and the value DW^(#) of W_(m) coordinate at the corresponding intersection or the value dW** of W_(m) intercept, to the channel narrowing determination section 14C. The channel narrowing section 14C determines a channel narrowing DW from the average of the values DW^(#) of W_(m) coordinates at virtual points within the area Ω for the true shift amount δ₀, e.g., in the range of 0.2≦V_(gt)≦0.6. Alternatively, the section 14C determines the value dW** of W_(m) intercept related to the true shift amount δ₀, as a channel narrowing DW.

Referring again to FIG. 9, the characteristic evaluation for insulated gate type transistors as described in the fourth preferred embodiment is attainable by making a computer to read an evaluation program 30 for evaluating insulated gate type transistors from a recording medium storing the program 30, in accordance with the procedure in FIG. 20 as described in the fourth preferred embodiment.

A method of manufacturing an insulted gate type transistor according to the fourth preferred embodiment can be implemented by employing, in step ST52 shown in FIG. 10, the evaluation method of the fourth preferred embodiment in place of that of the first preferred embodiment. This results in the same effects as in the case where the evaluation method of the first preferred embodiment is applied to a manufacturing method.

Although in the fourth preferred embodiment, a channel narrowing DW is determined so as to minimize the standard deviation σ [DW^(#)] of the value DW^(#) of W_(m) coordinate at an intersection or the standard deviation σ [dW^(#)] of the value dW** of W_(m) intercept, its determination method is not limited to the above. For instance, the threshold voltage V_(thNa) of a narrow transistor may be determined by selecting a characteristic curve in which the value DW** of W_(m) coordinate at an intersection is best converged on a fixed value when the gate overdrive V_(gt) is within a predetermined range.

When the mask channel width W_(mNa) of a narrow transistor is sufficiently smaller than the mask channel width W_(mWi) of a wide transistor (W_(mNa)<<W_(mWi)), Equation 31 is approximated as shown in Equation 40. Accordingly, a channel narrowing DW may be determined so that the standard deviation of the value of Equation 40 is a minimum. DW^(#)≈W_(mNa)−rri·W_(mWi)   (Eq. 40)

Alternatively, in Equation 40 a channel narrowing DW may be determined under the condition that the standard deviation of a variable rri is a minimum, because mask channel widths W_(mWi) and W_(mNa) are both constants.

Alternatively, since the condition that the standard deviation of the variation rri is a minimum is approximately equal to that the standard deviation of its inverse number rri⁻¹ is a minimum, a channel narrowing DW may be determined from the standard deviation of the inverse number rri⁻¹.

In the channel narrowing DW extraction according to the third or fourth preferred embodiment, when the mask cannel width W_(mNa) of a narrow transistor is significantly smaller than the mask channel width W_(mWi) of a wide transistor (i.e., W_(mNa)<<W_(mWi)), the difference between the mask channel width W_(mwi) and a gate finished width W_(gWi) hardly affects on determination of the value DW* of W_(m) coordinate at a virtual point, thereby determines the channel narrowing DW of the narrow transistor at high accuracy. For instance, to evaluate device or circuit performance on the level of not more than 1.0 μm in pattern width, it is required to extract the channel narrowing DW of each transistor. For such an extraction, there are used two transistors, i.e., a narrow transistor and a wide transistor serving as a reference. In this case, the difference between a gate finished width W_(g) and a mask channel width W_(m) depends on the transistor, causing errors. Thus, description will be now given of such errors. The value DW^(#) of W_(m) coordinate at a virtual point when a mask channel width W_(m) is used is given by Equation 41. $\begin{matrix} {{DW}^{\#} = {\left( {W_{mNa} - {\frac{R_{Wi}^{\prime}}{R_{Na}^{\prime}} \cdot W_{mWi}}} \right) \cdot \left( {1 - \frac{R_{Wi}^{\prime}}{R_{Na}^{\prime}}} \right)}} & \left( {{Eq}.\quad 41} \right) \end{matrix}$

If W_(g) coordinate of an intersection in a plane formed by gate finished width and source-drain conductance (i.e., a W_(g)−R plane) is represented by DW_(g) ^(#), the following Equation 42 is obtained. $\begin{matrix} {{DW}_{g}^{\#} = {\left( {W_{gNa} - {\frac{R_{Wi}^{\prime}}{R_{Na}^{\prime}} \cdot W_{gWi}}} \right) \cdot \left( {1 - \frac{R_{Wi}^{\prime}}{R_{Na}^{\prime}}} \right)^{- 1}}} & \left( {{Eq}.\quad 42} \right) \end{matrix}$

If the difference between a gate finished width W_(g) and a mask channel width W_(m) is represented by ΔW, the difference between the gate finished width W_(gWi) and mask channel width W_(mWi) of a wide transistor, and the difference between the gate finished width W_(gNa) and a mask channel width W_(mNa) of a narrow transistor, are represented by ΔW_(Wi) and ΔW_(Na), respectively. Therefore, the relationships of Equations 43 and 44 are established. Then, from Equations 41 to 44, the difference between the value DW** of W_(m) coordinate and the value DW_(g)* of W_(g) coordinate at an intersection is expressed by Equation 45, where ΔW is defined in Equation 46. $\begin{matrix} {W_{gWi} = {W_{mWi} + {\Delta\quad W_{Wi}}}} & \left( {{Eq}.\quad 43} \right) \\ {W_{gNa} = {W_{mNa} + {\Delta\quad W_{Na}}}} & \left( {{Eq}.\quad 44} \right) \\ \begin{matrix} {{{DW}^{**} - {DW}_{g}^{**}} = {{{- \Delta}\quad W_{Na}} + {{\frac{R_{Wi}^{\prime}}{R_{Na}^{\prime}} \cdot \left( {1 - \frac{R_{Wi}^{\prime}}{R_{Na}^{\prime}}} \right)^{- 1} \cdot \Delta}\quad W}}} \\ {\approx {{{- \Delta}\quad W_{Na}} + {{\frac{G_{Wi}^{\prime}}{R_{Na}^{\prime}} \cdot \Delta}\quad W}}} \\ {\approx {{{- \Delta}\quad W_{Na}} + {{\frac{W_{effNa}}{W_{effWi}} \cdot \Delta}\quad W}}} \end{matrix} & \left( {{Eq}.\quad 45} \right) \\ {{\Delta\quad W} \equiv {{\Delta\quad W_{Wi}} - {\Delta\quad W_{Na}}}} & \left( {{Eq}.\quad 46} \right) \end{matrix}$

Equations 43 and 44 show that the effective channel width W_(eff) of a narrow transistor is extracted when the relationship W_(mNa)<<W_(mWi) is established. In Equation 45, the second term of the last expression indicates an error. If a relative error is represented by r, it results in Equation 26. Therefore, again in the third and fourth preferred embodiments, to make a relative error smaller than the desired value, the same limitations are imposed upon the mask channel width W_(gWi) of a wide transistor, as in the first and second preferred embodiments.

Consider now the influence of unequal channel lengths due to the irregularity of finished polygate. Source-drain resistance R_(tot) is defined in Equation 47, where g is a channel sheet resistance. $\begin{matrix} {R = {{\frac{L_{eff}}{W_{eff}} \cdot g} + R_{sd}}} & \left( {{Eq}.\quad 47} \right) \end{matrix}$

Let the difference in the channel length L between a narrow transistor and a wide transistor be ΔL (=L_(effNa)−L_(effWi)), Equations 47 can be modified into Equation 48. $\begin{matrix} {R = {{\frac{L_{effWi}}{W_{effNa} \cdot \left( {1 - \frac{\Delta\quad L}{L_{effWi}}} \right)} \cdot g} + R_{sd}}} & \left( {{Eq}.\quad 48} \right) \end{matrix}$

Supposing a sheet resistance g is independent of an effective channel length L_(eff), Equation 48 shows that an effective channel length L_(effNa) appears to be increased by a factor of (1−L/L_(effWi)). Now, expressing a relative error by r, an error Δr is expressed by Equation 49. $\begin{matrix} {{W_{effNa} \cdot \frac{{\Delta\quad L}}{L_{effWi}}} < {r \cdot W_{effNa}}} & \left( {{Eq}.\quad 49} \right) \end{matrix}$

Supposing that an effective channel length L_(effWi) is approximately equal to a mask channel length L_(mWi), Equation 49 can be modified into Equation 50. $\begin{matrix} {L_{mWi} > \frac{{\Delta\quad L}}{r}} & \left( {{Eq}.\quad 50} \right) \end{matrix}$

Equation 50 imposes limitations upon the mask channel length L_(mWi) of a wide transistor to be used in extraction. For instance, when ΔL=0.1 μm and r=0.02, the mask channel width W_(mWi) of a wide transistor is required to be greater than 5 μm, in order to accurately extract the effective channel width of a narrow transistor.

Description will be now given of the case where the characteristic evaluation method for insulated gate type transistors according to the first preferred embodiment (hereinafter referred to as Gm method) or that of the third preferred embodiment (referred to as Rm method) is applied to a MOS transistor having a mask channel width W_(m) of 0.36 μm and a mask channel length L_(m) of 20.4 μm. FIG. 28 gives a comparison among the channel narrowing DW (obtained by Gm method), DW (by Rm method), and DW (by Chia method). Both Gm and Rm methods provide nearly the same result. Since it is generally difficult to accurately determine a threshold voltage V_(th), Gm method and Rm method ensure more accurate channel narrowing DW than Chia method.

Then, it is checked how the value dW* of W_(m) intercept and the values DW*, DW^(#) of W coordinate at an intersection depend on the gate overdrive V_(gt) in the vicinity of zero. Now, expanding the channel narrowing DW, the slope h of a straight line and the inverse number g (g=1/f) of the slope f of the straight line, to the power of a gate overdrive V_(gt), Equations 51 to 53 are obtained where DWG1, DWG2, and A to D are an arbitrary constant. $\begin{matrix} {{DW} = {{\delta\quad W} - {{DWG}\quad{1 \cdot V_{gt}}} - {{DWG}\quad{2 \cdot V_{gt}^{2}}} + {O\left( V_{gt}^{3} \right)}}} & \left( {{Eq}.\quad 51} \right) \\ {h = {\frac{A}{V_{gt}} + B + {O\left( V_{gt} \right)}}} & \left( {{Eq}.\quad 52} \right) \\ {g = {\frac{C}{V_{gt}} + D + {O\left( V_{gt} \right)}}} & \left( {{Eq}.\quad 53} \right) \end{matrix}$

In this case, dW**, DW* and DW^(#) are expanded as follows. $\begin{matrix} {{dW}^{**} \approx {{\delta\quad W} - {{DWG}\quad{1 \cdot {DWG}}\quad{2 \cdot V_{gt}^{2}}} + {O\left( V_{gt}^{3} \right)}}} & \left( {{Eq}.\quad 54} \right) \\ {{DW}^{*} \approx {{\delta\quad W} - {{2 \cdot {DWG}}\quad{1 \cdot V_{gt}}} - {\left( {{{3 \cdot {DWG}}\quad 2} + {{\frac{D}{C} \cdot {DWG}}\quad 1}} \right) \cdot \quad V_{gt}^{2}} + {O\left( V_{gt}^{3} \right)}}} & \left( {{Eq}.\quad 55} \right) \\ {{dW}^{\#} \approx {{\delta\quad W} + {\left( {{{DWG}\quad 2} + {{\frac{B}{A} \cdot {DWG}}\quad 1}} \right) \cdot V_{gt}^{2}} + {O\left( V_{gt}^{3} \right)}}} & \left( {{Eq}.\quad 56} \right) \end{matrix}$

Equations 54 to 56 indicate the following matters. When dW**, DW* and DW^(#) are brought to near zero, they all converge on ε W. When DWG1 and DWG2 are both positive numbers, DW* decreases rapidly than dW** as the gate overdrive V_(gt) increases. DW^(#) has a stationary point at V_(gt)=0, and increases by the square of V_(gt) as the gate overdrive V_(gt) increases. These indicate that the results given in FIGS. 6 and 22 are correct.

Also, the presence of the stationary point at V_(gt)=0 suggests the possibility that δW is determined so that DW^(#) is constant when V_(gt) is in the vicinity of zero. This is the case where “shift and ratio method” is applied to the extraction of a channel narrowing DW (this method is described, for example, in “A New “Shift and Ratio” Method for MOSFT Channel Length Extraction,” IEEE Elect. Dev. Lett., EDL-13(5), p. 267, 1992, by Y. Taur et al.). This method actually gives proper values, however, its extraction result depends greatly on the area of a gate overdrive V_(gt) for calculation (see FIG. 29). On the other hand, both Rm method and Gm method are independent of the area of a gate overdrive V_(gt) for calculation, and also can give nearly the same result.

While the invention has been shown and described in detail, the foregoing description is in all aspects illustrative and not restrictive. It is therefore understood that numerous modifications and variations can be devised without departing from the scope of the invention. 

1. A characteristic evaluation method for insulated gate type transistors, comprising: a) preparing at least two insulated gate type transistors including first and second insulated gate type transistors that differ from each other only in mask channel width; b) extracting a threshold voltage of said first transistor that has a mask channel width larger than that of said second transistor, estimating a threshold voltage of said second transistor, and employing a value of the estimated threshold voltage as a first estimated value; c) when a difference between a gate voltage of said first transistor and said extracted threshold voltage of said first transistor is defined as a first gate overdrive, a difference between a gate voltage of said second transistors and said first estimated value is defined as a second gate overdrive, and an X-Y plane is assumed whose X-axis is said mask channel width and Y-axis is source-drain conductance, (i) extracting a virtual point at which a change of Y coordinate value is estimated to be approximately zero even if said first and second gate overdrives are finely changed, from a characteristic curve exhibiting a relationship between said mask channel widths of said first and second transistors and said source-drain conductance, (ii) defining values of an X coordinate and a Y coordinate at said virtual point as second and third estimated values, respectively, and (iii) extracting a slope of said characteristic curve at said virtual point and employing a value of the extracted slope as a fourth estimated value; d) repeating said step c) while varying said first estimated value; e) after said steps c) and d), (i) finding, from said second to fourth estimated values, optimum second to fourth estimated values with which the change of said third estimated value is equal to a product of the change of said second estimated value and said fourth estimated value, in reply to fine changes of said first and second gate overdrives, (ii) determining an optimum first estimated value that corresponds to said optimum second to fourth estimated values, and (iii) determining a true threshold voltage of said second transistor based an said optimum first estimated value; and f) determining a difference between said mask channel width and an effective channel width, based an said true threshold voltage.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein in said step e), said characteristic curve is approximated by using a first straight line in said X-Y plane, said first straight line passing through a first point that is given to said first transistor when said first gate overdrive has a first value and a second point that is given to said second transistor when said second gate overdrive has said first value.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein in said step e), said optimum second to fourth estimated values are determined from a relational expression: ${F\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)} = {{{dW}^{**}\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)} + {\frac{f\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)}{f^{1}\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)} \cdot {{dW}^{**1}\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)}} - {{DW}^{*}\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)}}$ where δ is a difference between the first estimated value and the threshold voltage of said first transistor; V_(gtWi) is said first gate overdrive; dW** is a value of an X intercept that is obtained by extrapolating said characteristic curve; f is said slope of said characteristic curve at said virtual point; DW* is an X coordinate value at said virtual point; and a prime is a first-order differentiation of V_(gtWi).
 4. The method of claim 2, wherein in said step e), said optimum second to fourth estimated values are determined from a relational expression: ${F\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)} = {{\frac{f^{2}\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)}{f^{1}\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)} \cdot {{dW}^{**1}\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)}} - {G_{m}^{*}\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)}}$ where δ is a difference between the first estimated value and the threshold voltage of said first transistor; V_(gtWi) is said first gate overdrive; dW** is a value of an X intercept that is obtained by extrapolating said characteristic curve; f is said slope of said characteristic curve at said virtual point; G_(m)* is a Y coordinate value at said virtual point; and a prime is the first-order differentiation of V_(gtWi).
 5. The method of claim 2, wherein in said step e), said optimum second to fourth estimated values are determined from a relational expression: ${F\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)} = {{G_{m}**\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)} - {\frac{f\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)}{f^{1}\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)} \cdot {G_{m}^{**1}\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)}} - {G_{m}^{*}\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)}}$ where δ is a difference between the first estimated value and the threshold voltage of said first transistor; V_(gtWi) is said first gate overdrive; G_(m)** is a value of a Y intercept that is obtained by extrapolating said characteristic curve; f is said slope of said characteristic curve at said virtual point; G_(m)* is a Y coordinate value at said virtual point; and a prime is the first-order differentiation of V_(gtWi).
 6. The method of claim 2, wherein in said step e), said optimum second to fourth estimated values are determined from a relational expression: ${F\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)} = {\frac{G_{m}^{**1}\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)}{f^{1}\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)} + {{DW}*\left( {\delta,V_{gtWi}} \right)}}$ where δ is a difference between the first estimated value and the threshold voltage of said first transistor; V_(gtWi) is said first gate overdrive; G_(m)** is a value of a Y intercept that is obtained by extrapolating said characteristic curve; f is said slope of said characteristic curve at said virtual point; DW* is an X coordinate value at said virtual point; and a prime is the first-order differentiation of V_(gtWi). 7-19. (canceled) 